Track for tracklaying vehicles

ABSTRACT

A track for tracklaying vehicles has a plurality of track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps which extend transversely of the travel of the track. Each track link has a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface which both extend transversely of the travel of the track and which both are bounded by lateral edges. The lateral edges of the wheel-contacting surface are inwardly offset with reference to those of the ground-contacting surface. Connecting means pivotally connects the links for pivotal movement about pivot axis extending in direction transversely of the travel of the track and which are inwardly offset with reference to the lateral edges of the ground-contacting surfaces. A plurality of bridging members are respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter. The bridging members each have a wheel-contacting face bridging the gap between the respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and in effect constituting extensions of these wheelcontacting surfaces.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Hans Borner 2,387,387 10/1945 Garber305/42 Homburg/Sau' Germany Primary Examiner-Richard J Johnson [21]Appl' 807389 Attorney-Michael S Striker [22] Filed Mar. 14, 1969 [45]Patented July 6, 1971 [73] g f g ABSTRACT: A track for tracklayingvehicles has a plurality of 2 4 2; "many track links adjacent ones ofwhich define with one another [32] Pnomy G gaps which extendtransversely of the travel of the track. Each [33] ig fg 1 track linkhas a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-con- [3 I] tacting surfacewhich both extend transversely of the travel of the track and which bothare bounded by lateral edges. The [54] TRACK FOR TRACKLAYNG VEHICLESlateral edges of the wheel-contacting surface are inwardlv offset withreference to those of the ground-contacting surface. 12 Claims, 6Drawing F lgs.

Connecting means pivotally connects the links for pivotal 1 Cl 305/36,movement about pivot axis extending in direction transversely 305/59 ofthe travel of the track and which are inwardly offset with ll!- referene to the lateral edges of [he ground-contacting sur- [50] Field ofSearch 305/36, 58, f A plurality f bridging members are respectively 42located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected tothe latter. The bridging members each have a wheel- [56] References cuedcontacting face bridging the gap between the respective UNITED STATESPATENTS wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and1,956,580 5/1934 Knox 305/59 in effect constituting extensions ofthesewheel-contacting sur- 2,30l,954 11/1942 Knox 305/36 faces.

ATENTED JUL 6 19. 4

SHEET 1 [1F 2 TRACK FOR TRACKLAYING VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to tracks for tracklaying vehicles, andmore particularly to tracks for tracklaying combat vehicles.

Tracks for tracklaying vehicles consist of a plurality of pivotallyconnected links. It is well known that the travel and handlingcharacteristics of tracklaying vehicles are adversely influenced by thefact that gaps exist between the adjacent links. When the wheels onwhich the vehicle advances over the inner wheel-contacting surface ofthe track, contact the edges of the links which bound these gaps, theyimpact against these edges and/or into the gap itself with a force whichdepends upon the size of the gap, the surface characteristics of thewheels and the surface characteristics of the wheel-contacting innersurface of the track. This, in turn, coupled with the shifting of thevehicle weight to these areas of impact, forces each link to perform atilting movement about the edges of its ground-contacting surface. This,again, is propagated along the track from gap to gap and results in thedevelopment of vibrations in the vehicle which, according to tests whichhave been carried out, result in material fatigue and destruction ofthus-fatigued vehicle parts, and which on the other hand quickly tire oreven incapacitate the passengers of the vehicle, a phenomenon which hasbeen particularly observed in modern tracklaying combat vehicles capableof relatively high speeds.

Attempts to overcome these problems by redesign of the tracks have beenmade, but have not been satisfactory. In fact, such attempts have notonly failed to eliminate the existing problems but have added thefurther problem of limiting the pivoting movement of adjacent tracklinks with reference to one another.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the presentinvention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide animproved track for tracklaying vehicles.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such track whereinthe development of vibrations in the vehicle provided with the track islargely suppressed.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide track of the typeunder discussion wherein adjacent links of the track have increasedfreedom of pivoting movement with reference to one another.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such track which isnot as subject to wear as the tracks which have been known heretofore.

In accordance with the above objects, and others which will becomeapparent hereafter, one feature of my invention resides in the provisionof a track for tracklaying vehicles wherein I provide a plurality oflongitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define withone another gaps extending in direction transversely of the travel ofthe track. Each of the track links has opposite end faces which face inthe aforementioned direction, a ground-contacting surface and awheel-contacting surface each of which is provided with lateral edgesextending between the aforementioned end faces. According to theinvention the lateral edges of the wheel-contacting surface are inwardlyoffset with reference to those of the ground-contacting surface of thesame link.

Connecting means connects adjacent ones of the links for pivotalmovement about pivot axes which extend in the aforementioned directionand which are inwardly offset with reference to the lateral edges oftheground-contacting surface of the respective link.

Additionally, my novel track comprises a plurality of bridging memberswhich are respectively located in the gaps between adjacent ones of thelinks and are pivotably connected to the adjacent links. These bridgingmembers each have a wheel-contacting face which bridges the gap betweenthe respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacentlinks and which substantially constitutes an extension of thesewheel-contacting surfaces.

By resorting to my novel invention I substantially eliminate the gapsbetween the adjacent links as factors contributing to the development ofvibrations in the moving vehicle, because the bridging membersthemselves do not contact the ground and, in conjunction with theoffsetting of the lateral edges and axes as set forth above, avoid theundesired tilting of the links about the edges of theirground-contacting surfaces. Thus, forces acting upon the track indirection normal thereto and to the ground are alwaystransmitted-regardless of where they act upon the links-into the groundin the area intermediate the lateral edges of the ground-contactingsurfaces of one or two adjacent links. A vehicle utilizing such a trackwill be free from vibrations to an extent heretofore unobtainable.

According to my invention it is particularly advantageous to soconstruct the bridging members that they extend across the entire widthof the track, this dimension referring to the direction normal to thetravel of the track, and resist both bending and twisting stresses.Furthermore, it is advantageous that substantially midway intermediatethe opposite lateral sides of the track the bridging members areprovided with upwardly extending guide projections and that they befurther provided with projections at their opposite ends via which theyare pivotally connected with the respective adjacent links. In fact,such tracks usually consist of pairs or groups of links each includingtwo links arranged in end-to-end relationship across the width of thetrack. it is then particularly advantageous if each bridging member isalso pivotably connected to the two links of each group intermediatetheir juxtaposed ends. With this construction the wear on the track isstill further reduced.

In order to obtain maximum bending and twisting resistance from mybridging members by making them as light as possible, they areadvantageously constructed as close box-shaped profiled members. Toassure that adjacent links are freely and readily pivotable withreference to one another despite the presence of a bridging memberbetween them, the bridging members are constructed with side faces orsidewalls which converge in direction towards the ground-contactingsurfaces of the links. The upper wheel-contacting face of each bridgingmember is extended laterally beyond the respective side faces as closeas possible to the lateral edges of the ground-contacting surfaces ofthe links located at opposite sides of the bridging member, so that thespace between these lateral edges and the wheel-contacting face of thebridging member is as small as possible.

The provision ofa bridging member according to my invention between eachpair of adjacent links makes it possible to have the distance betweenthe pivoting axis of each link-of which there are two parallel pivotingaxesbe greater than the proximal pivoting axis of two adjacent links.This increases the traction of the track and maintains the traction higheven as the groundcontacting surfacewhich is usually provided onseparate members of elastomeric material constituting a part of thelink-is gradually worn away. This measure further makes it possible tosecure at the underside of each bridging member--that is the side facingthe respective ground-com tacting surfaces--traction-increasing studs orsnow and mud grippers without thereby decreasing the ability of theadjacent links to pivot with respect to one another. Such studs orgrippers may extend over the entire width of the track, or only over apart of the width, and because this can be selected at will the tractionof the track is vastly increased, particularly in difficult terrain.

Furthermore, and as still to be described, I may so construct my noveltrack that its edge faces are substantially continuous without anysignificant spaces between adjacent links. This is in contrast to knownlink constructions where the relatively significant spaces at the edgefaces of the track always bring with them the danger that duringmovement of the vehicle through a wire entanglement the wire may becometangled in these spaces and may actually block the vehicle from furthermovement.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however,both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan viewof a track according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a partly sectioned side elevation on the line Il-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail view ofa single pair of track links with anassociated bridging member, as seen in the direction of travel of thetrack;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but on an enlarged scale andillustrating the transmission of forces through the track into theground;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic partly sectioned side elevation on anenlarged scale of two adjacent track links illustrated in one positionof angular displacement relative to one another; and

FIG. 6 is a viewsimilar to FIG. 5 illustrating an opposite position ofangular displacement of the links relative to one another.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing now the drawing indetail it will be seen that, as shown in FIG. I, each track link isidentified with reference numeral 1 and has substantially half the widthof the entire track. The direction of travel of the track in FIG. 1 iseither towards the left or towards the right of the Figure. In directiontransversely of the travel two links 1 are always arranged in end-to-endrelationship. Each of the links 1 is of dual tubular configuration.Adjacent pairs of end-to-end links 1 define with one another gaps (seeFIG. 2) and in each such gap there is located a bridging member 2extending transversely of the direction of travel of the track. Thesebridging members 2 are resistant to bending and twisting forces, as willbe discussed in more detail.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 particularly, the opposite end faces of thelinks 1 are provided'with bores each of which accommodates' a bushingsleeve 3 which is embedded in elastomeric material as illustrated, andwhich accommodates a portion of a known link pin 4. As shown, the linkpins are of polygonal cross section, and this cross-sectionalconfiguration is the same over the entire length of the link pins 4.

The wheel-contacting surfaces of the links 1, that is the surfaces overwhich the wheels of the vehicle will roll, as illustrated by thediagrammatic illustration of wheels W in FIG. 4, and theground-contacting surfaces of the links 1 are identified with referencenumeral 5a and provided on groundcontacting bodies 5 which are hereconstructed ofelastomeric material and which constitute a part of therespective links 1.

In accordance with the present invention the lateral edges 7 boundingthe wheel-contacting surfaces 6 of each link, as well as the bushings 3defining the pivoting axis of the links, are inwardly offset withreference to the corresponding lateral edges 8 of the ground-contactingsurfaces 5a of the respective links I. In other words, the distancebetween the edges 7 and the centers of the bushings 3-as seen in thedirection of travel of the track-is smaller than the distance betweenthe edges 8 in the same direction. This is particularly clearly shown inFIG.

As shown in the drawing, especially in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of thebridging members 2 is provided with a wheel-contacting face 2a whichbridges the gap 15 between the adjacent wheelcontacting surfaces 6 ofthe adjacent links I, and which in effect constitutes an extension ofthese wheel-contacting surfaces 6. Intermediate its opposite ends eachof the bridging members 2 is provided with an upwardly extending guideprojection 9 which is located between the facing ends of the links I ofeach transversely aligned pair or group of links. Intermediate the twolinks of each such group each of the members 2 is further provided withconnecting portions 10 serving to connect the links of each pair as wellas to connect the adjacent pairs of links, and additional connectingportions 11 are provided at the opposite ends of the respective members2, serving the same function at the outer lateral edges of the track.Intermediate the two projections or connecting portions 11 at each endof each bridging member 2, there remains a space 12 into which the teethof a driving sprocket can extend. The outer lateral edge at each lateralside of the track carries the cover plates 13 which in each case bridgethe open space 12 at the lateral edges and extend beyond the respectiveconnecting portion 11 of one bridging member 2 towards the proximalconnecting portion 11 of the next adjacent bridging member 2 by adistance D. This is clearly shown in FIG. 1 from where it will beevident that with this construction the cover plates 13 of adjacent onesof the members 2 both extend into the space between the adjacent orproximal connecting portions 11 and thus almost close the distance D"between them. Thus, each outer lateral edge of the track in effect isprovided with an almost continuous surface which precludes or makes muchmore difficult the entanglement of wire or the like in the track. Theconnection between the connecting portions 11 and the links 1 iseffected via link pins 4 in known manner, and the link pins may beprevented from undersired separation also in known manner, for instanceby upsetting of requisite portions or retaining members provided forthis purpose.

Because of the entry of sprocket teeth into the spaces 12, and contactof the teeth with the connecting portions 11, I construct the wallportions 14 of the connecting portions 11 which come in contact with thesprocket teeth, of greater thickness than the remaining wall portions.This is illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows, as mentioned before,that the distance A between the axis of each link I is greater than thedistance a between the proximal axis of adjacent ones of the links 1.This makes it possible to obtain a relatively large gap 15 between theadjacent links 1 and their ground-contacting bodies 5.

As visible in FIG. 2, and particularly in FIG. 4, the side faces of thebridging members 2, which are preferably constructed of closedbox-shaped profile configuration, as illustrated, converge in directiontowards the ground-contacting surfaces 50 so as not to interfere withfree tilting movement of adjacent links 1 relative to one another. Thewheel-contacting face 2a of each member 2 is provided on the upper wall211 of the respective member and this upper wall 2b extends laterally ofthe side faces or sidewalls 2a to such an extent as to almost completeclose the gap between the adjacent links 1, as clearly visible in all ofFIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6. Thus, only a small space 16 (see FIG. 1) remainsbetween the wheel-contacting surface 2a and the lateral edges 7 of theadjacent links 1, and impacting of the vehicle wheels into these smallspaces is thus no longer possible.

As shown in FIG. 4, the force transmitted through the wheels W into thetrack is indicated by the broken-line arrows P. Furthermore, the path inwhich these forces are transmitted through the links into the ground issimilarly indicated by the broken-line arrows and it will be seen thatregardless of where the forces P act upon the track, all forces actingin direction normal to the track and to the ground will be transmittedinto the ground in the region between the edges 8 of thegroundcontacting surface or surfaces 5a of one or of two adjacent onesof the links 1. This reliably precludes tilting of the respective links1 about the edges 8.

Coming to FIG. 5 it will be seen that connected adjacent links I can betilted with respect to one another towards the ground freely, just asFIG. 6 shows that they can be tilted away from the ground and towardsthe wheels. The tilting angle is identified with a and amounts toapproximately 30. However, because of the provision of the bridgingmembers 2, there occurs a negative tilting angle 01/2 between thewheel-contacting surfaces 6 of the adjacent links 1 and thewheel-contacting face 2a of the associated member 2-in the case of FIG.5- and a similar but positive angle oi/Z in the case of FIG. 6. Becauseof this much smaller angle the gap between the face 20 and the edges 7of the surfaces 6 is very small.

I wish to point out that despite the provision of the bridging members 2my novel track provides for considerable freedom of the links angularlywith reference to one another. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 this freedom isnot in any way inhibited even if the underside of the respectivebridging members 2 is provided with traction studs 17 for ice, snow ormud. These studs may extend over part or over the entire width of thetrack and may be secured to the members 2 in suitable manner, forinstance by the bolts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 or in any other suitableway, such as self-locking cones. Of course, the members 17, which mayalso be configuratecl differently from what has been illustrated, may beremoved when they are not needed. in this context it should be pointedout that the entire track does not require any screw-threadedconnections at all for the assembly of the various elements to oneanother.

It will be self-evident that modifications are possible over theillustrated exemplary embodiments. Thus, the links i could bedifferently constructed and/or the bodies 5 of elastomeric materialcould be replaced with bodies of steel or the like which might or mightnot be provided with vibrationdamping pads of elastomeric material. Sucha construction would be particularly useful if the track is to be usedon combat vehicles. Similarly, elastomeric material could be provided onthe wheel-contacting surfaces 6 and the wheel-contacting faces 2a of themembers l and 2. The members 2 could be constructed differently, andcould consist of two or more sections, just as it could be connectedwith the links in different manner. What is important in allembodiments, however, is the concept that certain parts constitutingtogether with others the track, and excepting loads transmitted by thewheels W (see FIG. 4) are supported not directly on the ground butrather indirectly via two adjacent other parts of the track.

. It will be understood that each of the elements described above, ortwo or more together, may also find a useful application in other typesof constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in atrack for tracklaying vehicles, it is not intended to be limited to thedetails shown, since various modifications and structural changes may bemade without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

What i claim as new and desire to be protected by Letters Patent is setforth in the following claims:

1. A track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination aplurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of whichdefine with one another gaps extending in direction transversely of thetravel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end facesfacing in said direction a ground-contacting surface and awheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending betweensaid end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surfacebeing inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contactingsurface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links forpivotal movement about pivot axes which extend in said direction and areinwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of theground-contacting surface of the respective link; a plurality ofbridging members respectively located in the gaps between adjacent linksand pivotally connected to the latter, said bridging members each havinga wheel-contacting face bridging the gap between the respectivewheelcontacting surface of the associated adjacent links andsubstantially constituting an extension of said respective wheelcontacting surfaces, said bridging members fur having opposite endslocated at opposite lateral sides of salt .2 am being provided at eachwith two end connector portions pivotally connecting the adjacent linksand spaced from one another in direction of travel of the track so thatthe teeth of a driving sprocket can engage between the thus-spaced endconnector portions; and cover plates extending across the spaces betweenthe respective end connector portions and substantially halfway acrossthe distance between adjacent bridging members so that said track hassubstantially continuous side edges.

2. A track as defined in claim ll, said end connector portions beingtubular and configuratccl for receiving respective link pins, andwherein wall sections of said end connector portions which are adaptedto be contacted by the teeth of a driving sprocket have a wall thicknesswhich is greater than that of the remainder of said end connectorportions.

3. A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprising in combination, aplurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of whichdefine with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely ofthe travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite endfaces facing in said direction, a ground-contacting surface and awheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending betweensaid end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surfacebeing inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contactingsurface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links forpivotal angular movement about parallel pivot axes which extend in saiddirection and are inwardly offset in the direction of travel of saidtrack with reference to said lateral edges of the ground-contactingsurface of the respective link, while maintaining said axes parallel andat a predetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of bridgingmembers respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links andpivotably connected to the latter, said bridging members each having awheel-contact face bridging the gaps between the respectivewheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and at leastsubstantially coplanar with said wheel-contacting surfaces when therespective bridging member and associated adjacent links are inhorizontal alignment with one another.

ii. A track as defined in claim 3, each of said links being connected tothe respectively adjacent links for pivoting movement about two parallelpivot axes spaced from one another in direction of travel of said track;and wherein the distance between said two pivot axes of each link isgreater than the distance between the proximal pivot axes of adjacentconnected links.

d. A track as defined in claim 4i, wherein said bridging members arerigid and resist twisting and bending stresses.

6. A track as defined in claim 5, wherein said track has a predeterminedwidth, and wherein said bridging members extend over the entire width ofsaid track.

'7. A track as defined in claim 5, said track having a predeterminedwidth and said track links being arranged in groups each comprising twolinks positioned in end-to end relationship transversely of the travelof said track across said predetermined width and being connected forjoint pivotal movement about said pivot axes; said bridging members eachhaving a length corresponding at least substantially to saidpredetermined width and being pivotably connected to the respectivelyadjacent groups of links at opposite sides of said track as well asintermediate the two links of each group, said bridging members eachbeing further provided intermediate the facing end faces of the links ofadjacent groups with a guide projection projecting from the respectivewheel-contacting face.

d. A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprising in combination, aplurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of whichdefine with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely ofthe travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite endfaces facing in said direction, a ground-contacting surface and awheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending betweensaid end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surfacebeing inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contactingsurface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links forpivotal angular movement about parallel pivot axes which extend in saiddirection and are inwardly offset with reference to said lateral edgesof the ground-contacting surface of the respective link, whilemaintaining said axes parallel and at a predetermined distance from eachother; and a plurality of bridging members having the form of closedboxshaped profiles and being respectively located in the gaps betweenadjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter, said bridgingmembers each having lateral walls which extend in said direction andconverge towards the respective groundcontacting surfaces of theassociated links and a wheel-contacting face bridging the gaps betweenthe respective wheelcontacting surfaces of the associated adjacent linksand substantially constituting an extension of said respectivewheelcontacting surfaces.

9. A track as defined in claim 8, said bridging members each having anupper wall connecting said lateral walls and extending outwardlytherebetween and transversely of the respective gap, said upper wallbeing provided with said wheel-contacting face.

10. A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprising in combination, aplurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of whichdefine with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely ofthe travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite endfaces facing in said direction, a

ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each havinglateral edges extending between said end faces with the lateral edges ofsaid wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offset with reference tothose of said ground-contacting surface; connecting means connectingadjacent ones of said links for pivotal angular movement about parallelpivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset withreference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of therespective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at apredetermined distance from each other; a plurality of bridging membersrespectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotablyconnected to the latter, said bridging members each having awheel-contacting face bridging the gaps between the respectivewheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links andsubstantially constituting an extension of said respectivewheel-contacting surfaces; link pins connecting said links and saidbridging members for movement about said pivot axes; and journalbushings provided on said links and bridging members respectivelycoaxial with one of said pivot axes and each being adapted to receive aportion of one of said link pins.

11. A track as defined in claim 10, wherein said link pins and theassociated bushings are of polygonal outer and inner cross section,respectively.

12. A track as defined in claim 11 wherein said bridging members areeach provided with plurality of bores, and wherein said link pins are inpart received in the respective bores.

1. A track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination aplurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of whichdefine with one another gaps extending in direction transversely of thetravel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end facesfacing in said direction a ground-contacting surface and awheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending betweensaid end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surfacebeing inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contactingsurface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links forpivotal movement about pivot axes which extend in said direction and areinwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of theground-contacting surface of the respective link; a plurality ofbridging members respectively located in the gaps between adjacent linksand pivotally connected to the latter, said bridging members each havinga wheel-contacting face bridging the gap between the respectivewheel-contacting surface of the associated adjacent links andsubstantially constituting an extension of said respectivewheel-contacting surfaces, said bridging members further having oppositeends located at opposite lateral sides of said track and being providedat each with two end connector portions pivotally connecting theadjacent links and spaced from one another in direction of travel of thetrack so that the teeth of a driving sprocket can engage between thethus-spaced end connector portions; and cover plates extending acrossthe spaces between the respective end connector portions andsubstantially halfway across the distance between adjacent bridgingmembers so that said track has substantially continuous side edges.
 2. Atrack as defined in claim 1, said end connector portions being tubularand configurated for receiving respective link pins, and wherein wallsections of said end connector portions which are adapted to becontacted by the teeth of a driving sprocket have a wall thickness whichis greater than that of the remainder of said end connector portions. 3.A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprising in combination, a pluralityof longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define withone another gaps extending in a direction transversely of the travel ofsaid track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing insaid direction, a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contactingsurface each having lateral edges extending between said end faces withthe lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offsetwith reference to those of said ground-contacting surface; connectingmeans connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal angularmovement about parallel pivot axes which extend in said direction andare inwardly offset in the direction of travel of said track wiThreference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of therespective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at apredetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of bridgingmembers respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links andpivotably connected to the latter, said bridging members each having awheel-contact face bridging the gaps between the respectivewheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and at leastsubstantially coplanar with said wheel-contacting surfaces when therespective bridging member and associated adjacent links are inhorizontal alignment with one another.
 4. A track as defined in claim 3,each of said links being connected to the respectively adjacent linksfor pivoting movement about two parallel pivot axes spaced from oneanother in direction of travel of said track; and wherein the distancebetween said two pivot axes of each link is greater than the distancebetween the proximal pivot axes of adjacent connected links.
 5. A trackas defined in claim 4, wherein said bridging members are rigid andresist twisting and bending stresses.
 6. A track as defined in claim 5,wherein said track has a predetermined width, and wherein said bridgingmembers extend over the entire width of said track.
 7. A track asdefined in claim 5, said track having a predetermined width and saidtrack links being arranged in groups each comprising two linkspositioned in end-to-end relationship transversely of the travel of saidtrack across said predetermined width and being connected for jointpivotal movement about said pivot axes; said bridging members eachhaving a length corresponding at least substantially to saidpredetermined width and being pivotably connected to the respectivelyadjacent groups of links at opposite sides of said track as well asintermediate the two links of each group, said bridging members eachbeing further provided intermediate the facing end faces of the links ofadjacent groups with a guide projection projecting from the respectivewheel-contacting face.
 8. A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprisingin combination, a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track linksadjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in adirection transversely of the travel of said track, each of said tracklinks having opposite end faces facing in said direction, aground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each havinglateral edges extending between said end faces with the lateral edges ofsaid wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offset with reference tothose of said ground-contacting surface; connecting means connectingadjacent ones of said links for pivotal angular movement about parallelpivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset withreference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of therespective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at apredetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of bridgingmembers having the form of closed box-shaped profiles and beingrespectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotablyconnected to the latter, said bridging members each having lateral wallswhich extend in said direction and converge towards the respectiveground-contacting surfaces of the associated links and awheel-contacting face bridging the gaps between the respectivewheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links andsubstantially constituting an extension of said respectivewheel-contacting surfaces.
 9. A track as defined in claim 8, saidbridging members each having an upper wall connecting said lateral wallsand extending outwardly therebetween and transversely of the respectivegap, said upper wall being provided with said wheel-contacting face. 10.A track for tracklaying vehicles, comprising in combination, a pluralityof longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define withone another gaps extending in a direction transversely of The travel ofsaid track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing insaid direction, a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contactingsurface each having lateral edges extending between said end faces withthe lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offsetwith reference to those of said ground-contacting surface; connectingmeans connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal angularmovement about parallel pivot axes which extend in said direction andare inwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of theground-contacting surface of the respective link, while maintaining saidaxes parallel and at a predetermined distance from each other; aplurality of bridging members respectively located in the gaps betweenadjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter, said bridgingmembers each having a wheel-contacting face bridging the gaps betweenthe respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacentlinks and substantially constituting an extension of said respectivewheel-contacting surfaces; link pins connecting said links and saidbridging members for movement about said pivot axes; and journalbushings provided on said links and bridging members respectivelycoaxial with one of said pivot axes and each being adapted to receive aportion of one of said link pins.
 11. A track as defined in claim 10,wherein said link pins and the associated bushings are of polygonalouter and inner cross section, respectively.
 12. A track as defined inclaim 11 wherein said bridging members are each provided with pluralityof bores, and wherein said link pins are in part received in therespective bores.